Senses

Welcome: You have come upon a blog which primarily discusses tools to help dyslexics and hyperlexics. I have both conditions. The topic, this time, are senses: see, hear, taste, touch, smell.

When I began exploring how to help myself with the confusing issues that my dyslexia seemed to bring me I discovered that some of the confusion comes from the fact that I am also synesthesic. This means that I experience two or more senses simultaneously – an advantage and a detraction.

It’s an advantage because it gives me heightened sensual awareness. It’s a disadvantage because the clashing of senses simultaneously can create confusion. To diminish this confusion I spent some time training myself to understand what was happening. These are the steps I took.

For a couple of months I went several times a week to an art museum or gallery to spend a half hour standing in front of paintings asking myself the following questions: if that painting had a smell, what would it be, or how do I taste that painting, or how do hear that painting and so on. This “schooling” made me conscious of the information coming from my senses, rather than from my brain.

Now I know to determine if the information from my brain clashes with that from my senses. Here is an example:

I was attending a concert of new music at Carnegie Hall in New York. My head was trying to tell me that I liked the piece. I decided to check with my senses. I asked: how do I hear this new piece of music? cacophanous sounds: how do I see this new piece of music? four by eight pieces of wood clashing against one another, what is the touch I feel from this new piece of music? like sharp pins sticking up and blooding my finger, what do I smell from this new piece of music? something unpleasant, what do I taste from this new piece of music? shit.

Yes, I get honest answers from my senses.

Let’s not forget there are two other components to this equation.

1. Sometimes two or more of my senses are working simultaneously are causing confusion.

2. Sometimes it is simply the fact that I am not imaging the words – my hyperlexic condition.

One fact I feel. My senses tell me truths.

Do any of you reading this blog have any comments to make about your sensorial experiences?

If you have topics that you would like me to address about my experience in overcoming dyslexia and hyperlexia feel free to send your ideas through the comments below.

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Information on this blog is intended to complement, not replace, the advice of your own physician or health care professional.